Premier League Postpones Implementation of Semi-Automated Offside VAR Until 2025

The Premier League has confirmed that the rollout of semi-automated offside technology for VAR will be postponed until 2025. This decision allows for further testing to ensure a seamless integration of the technology for teams and officials.

Newsonline Nigeria reports that the Premier League has announced a postponement in the rollout of semi-automated VAR offside technology (SAOT) until 2025, as testing of the system continues.

Earlier this year, clubs unanimously agreed to implement the technology, which is expected to reduce the average check time by 31 seconds.

The Premier League had planned to implement the switch to semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) “after one of the autumn international breaks,” with October seen as the most likely timeframe.

However, during the Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Thursday, it was revealed that SAOT is not yet ready for deployment. This raises doubts about the feasibility of introducing the technology this season.

SAOT eliminates the manual process of placing lines on players and adjusting to pitch level, resulting in quicker and more accurate decisions. Additionally, it offers significantly enhanced graphical visualizations of offside calls, improving upon the current method of displaying lines on the broadcast camera.